There will be a human trafficking meeting held Tuesday, Nov. 10, in the Monroe Middle School auditorium at 6 p.m.

The speaker is Trooper Tressa Duffin of the Michigan State Police Department. MMS Principal Cindy Flynn believes that trafficking is a growing issue about which people need to know.

“We are glad to partner with the state police to present this program; we want our community to know just how big a problem this is and how they can help their children to steer clear of the situations that may cause them harm,”said Flynn.

Freshman Abigail Howerton also believes that people need to be informed.

“This presentation is a good idea because it will inform people about not doing dangerous things,” said Howerton. She also said she believes that the biggest reason trafficking is an issue now more so than before is because of social media.

“The reason human trafficking occurs more now than before is because there are more ways to be trafficked with the advanced technology and social media,” said Howerton.

Duffin gives presentations on the issue of human trafficking often and believes that the biggest thing that could be done to help prevent or even stop trafficking is to simply bring awareness.

“We really need to bring awareness, and younger people need to be aware,” said Duffin, “It has always been an issue, but now it’s more prevalent. It’s not just people being trafficked into our country, and it’s not just happening overseas. It’s here.”

Duffin also believes that people need to be more careful. It is assumed that when people are trafficked, they are usually taken, or kidnapped, but this is not the case.

“About three percent are kidnapped, 37 percent are sold by their family members, and 65 percent are tricked into going with someone, and are then sold into slavery,” said Duffin.